Sharon Burgess Productions. The Garden of Unearthly Delights - The Factory. 7 Mar 2015
Abandoman is back again since winning the 2012 Fringe Best Comedy Newcomer Award. Judging by the publicity images of previous shows, the current production is stripped down to Irish rapacious rapper Rod Broderick - not nearly as nattily attired as in the pics - working with only the weakest narrative connecting him to P. Diddy and the original Hot Desk concept.
Talking or rapping non-stop for an hour, Abandoman - with witty interrogation that has the dedicated audience constantly laughing - garners information from selected individuals, and with an awesome virtuosity, immediately weaves the material into a rap portrait without missing a beat. It's like a magic trick - mindboggling. There are squeals of delight as words like accountant, sales, Salisbury, or Subway sandwich maker are rhymed and embedded in the lyrics.
More interesting song sketches are built if audience members can answer trickier questions, like, what is the thing you would like to do most, or how do you show your love to your partner, or what is your favourite party trick. His accomplice extemporising on the electronic xylophone is acutely tuned into Abandoman's wavelength. And he loves people with names like Dan, as "it rhymes with everything."
He does four raps like this but he has probably does hundreds. It's as wondrous as gazing at the pyramids.
David Grybowski
When: 2 to 15 Mar
Where: The Garden of Unearthly Delights - The Factory
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
